Boeing 373 Breaks into Pieces When Landing in Colombia

A Boeing 737 passenger jet crashed and broke into three pieces upon landing during a storm at a Colombian island yesterday, but the only fatality was a passenger who died from an apparent heart attack.

The plane, carrying 121 passengers and six crew members, was about 80 metres from the San Andres island runway when a suspected lightning strike caused it to land short and slide onto the runway, crumpling the fuselage, The Guardian informs.

San Andres governor Pedro Gallardo said: "It was a miracle and we have to give thanks to God."

The airline, Aerovias de Integracion Regional SA, said it has about 20 planes, including 10 Boeing 737-700 jets. It said in a Twitter posting that it was "working and investigating with the aeronautical authorities to determine the causes".

Boeing said the wrecked 737-700 jet left the factory in 2003. It was not clear whether Aires was the first operator, The Press Association reports.